The following rules or meanings shall be applied in the construction
and interpretation of ordinances codified in this Code, unless such
application would be clearly inconsistent with the Code's plain meaning
or intent of the ordinances:
A. Acts
by agents. When an ordinance requires an act be done by a person which
may be legally performed by an authorized agent of that principal
person, the requirement shall be construed to include all acts performed
by such agents.
B. Computation
of time. In computing any period of time prescribed or allowed by
these ordinances, the day of the act or event from which the period
of time begins to run shall not be included, but the last day of the
period shall be included, unless it is a Saturday, a Sunday or a legal
holiday. If the period of time prescribed or allowed is less than
seven days, Saturdays, Sundays and legal holidays shall be excluded
in the computation. As used in this section, "legal holiday" means
any statewide legal holiday specified by state law.
C. Fine.
The term "fine" shall be the equivalent of the word "forfeiture,"
and vice versa.
D. Gender.
Every word in these Ordinances referring to gender shall be gender
neutral.
E. General
rule. All words and phrases shall be construed according to their
plain meaning in common usage. However, words or phrases with a technical
or special meaning shall be understood and construed according to
that technical or special meeting if such is the intent of the ordinances.
F. Person.
The word "person" shall mean any of the following entities: natural
persons, corporations, partnerships, associations, bodies politic
or any other entity of any kind which is capable of being sued.
G. Repeal.
When any ordinance having the effect of repealing a prior ordinance
is itself repealed, such repeal shall not be construed to revive the
prior ordinance or any part thereof, unless expressly so provided.
H. Singular
and plural. Every word in these ordinances referring to the singular
number only shall also be construed to apply to several persons or
things, and every word in these ordinances referring to a plural number
shall also be construed to apply to one person or thing.
I. Tense.
The use of any verb in the present tense shall not preclude the interpretation
of the verb in the future tense, where appropriate.
J. Town.
The term "Town" shall mean the Town of Pacific, Columbia County, Wisconsin.
If any provision of this Code is for any reason held to be invalid
or unconstitutional by reason of any decision of any court of competent
jurisdiction, such decision shall not affect the validity of any other
provisions of these ordinances.